Arthropod trap and extermination method

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure describes an apparatus, system, and method for trapping and exterminating arthropods, particularly red mites. The apparatus includes an opaque housing and a heat strip configured to have separate temperature zones. The method includes warming the heat strip to lure the mites into the trap, heating outer heat strip segments to drive the mites toward the center of the trap, and then raising the entire heat strip to a temperature sufficient to exterminate the mites. The system includes placing one or more of the traps in animal hold structures, including nesting boxes in poultry houses.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/346,004 filed on Jun. 11, 2021, which claims priority of U.S. PatentApplication No. 63/044,765 filed on Jun. 26, 2020, which are herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 1. Field of the Disclosure

The present disclosure relates to pest control, and, in particular,arthropod trapping and extermination in animal pens.

2. Description of the Related Art

Insect and arachnid pests are a pervasive problem in agriculture,particularly in poultry houses and other enclosed structures that holdanimals, such as chickens. Red mites are a problem in chicken houses asred mites on chickens are analogous to fleas on dogs. The red mitesparasitically suck blood from the chicken and cause a host of problems,including, reduction in egg laying, rashes, and anemia.

The presence of red mites often results in excess time spent cleaningthe chicken house (or coop), nesting boxes, and bedding withdisinfecting agent, as well as treatment of the chickens and the chickenhouse with red mite powder. Both of these procedures further disturb thechickens.

A shortcoming of some prior art arthropod pest extermination systemsincludes the reliance on poisons, which can be harmful to livestock thatcoexist in the enclosures with the arthropod pests. Further, theseextermination systems often require remains to be removed and poison tobe replaced. In some prior art instances, the poisons that are lawfullyused in some jurisdictions are restricted from use or prohibited inother jurisdictions. Another shortcoming of some prior art pestextermination systems is their reliance on bait or pheromones that mustbe continually refreshed.

What is needed is an insect extermination system that attractsarthropods by providing a desirable environment for the arthropods, andthen eliminates the pest with minimal waste.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is related to arthropod pest control in anenclosed agricultural structure, and, in particular, trapping andextermination of insects and arachnids in poultry houses.

One embodiment according to the present disclosure includes an apparatusfor trapping red mites that includes a multi-segment heat strip in ahousing and a controller. The heat strip preferably includes at leastone inner segment or zone between two outer segments or zones. Thehousing is opaque to visible light to create a dark environment for themites. It is contemplated that the shape and interior appearance of thehousing may be amended in consideration of the target pest to beattracted and destroyed. The controller provides electrical power to andregulates the operation of the multi-segment heat strip. The apparatusalso includes an opaque, removable cap for a first opening in thehousing with its own smaller opening. The apparatus may also include asecond opening and a second opaque, removable cap for a second openingin the housing with its own smaller opening. The controller may beenclosed in the housing. One or more of end caps may have an additionalopening for a power cord. The housing may be tubular in shape. In someembodiments, the apparatus may have a power supply, and that powersupply may be disposed inside or outside of the housing.

Another embodiment according to the present disclosure includes a systemfor trapping arthropods, such as mites, that includes an animal orlivestock house with a plurality of nesting boxes and a plurality ofmite trap apparatuses. One or more of the arthropod traps may bedeployed in the nesting boxes vertically, horizontally, or both. Each ofthe trap apparatuses includes a multi-segment heat strip in a housingand a controller. The heat strip includes at least one inner segment orzone between two outer segments or zones. The housing is opaque tovisible light to create a dark environment for the arthropods. Thecontroller provides electrical power to and regulates the operation ofthe multi-segment heat strip. The apparatus also includes an opaque,removable cap for a first opening in the housing with its own smalleropening. The apparatus may also include a second opening and a secondopaque, removable cap for a second opening in the housing with its ownsmaller opening. The trap apparatuses may be wired to a power supply inseries, parallel or a combination thereof.

Another embodiment according to the present disclosure includes a methodof exterminating arthropods, such as mites, using an arthropod trapapparatus. The trap apparatus includes a multi-segment heat strip in ahousing and a controller. The heat strip includes at least one innersegment or zone between two outer segments or zones. The housing isopaque to visible light to create a dark environment for the mites. Thecontroller provides electrical power to and regulates the operation ofthe multi-segment heat strip. The apparatus also includes an opaque,removable cap for a first opening in the housing with its own smalleropening. The apparatus may also include a second opening and a secondopaque, removable cap for a second opening in the housing with its ownsmaller opening. The controller may be enclosed in the housing. One ormore of end caps may have an additional opening for a power cord. Thehousing may be tubular in shape. In some embodiments, the apparatus mayhave a power supply, and that power supply may be disposed inside oroutside of the housing. The method energizing the at least one innersegment or zone and the two outer segments or zones to a firsttemperature for a first selected period; changing the temperature of thetwo outer segments or zones to a second temperature for a secondselected period; and changing the temperature of the at least one innersegment or zone and the two outer segments or zones to a thirdtemperature for a third selected period. The first temperature may beabout the brooding and egg laying temperature of a target animal, thesecond temperature is greater than the first temperature, and the thirdtemperature is greater than the second temperature and sufficient toexterminate the insects. In some embodiments, the first temperature isabout 28 degrees Celsius and the third temperature is preferably about45 degrees Celsius. In some embodiments, the first temperature is aboutthe brooding temperature of an egg laying chicken and the thirdtemperature is high enough to kill red mites within 15 minutes.

Examples of the more important features of the disclosure have beensummarized rather broadly in order that the detailed description thereofthat follows may be better understood and in order that thecontributions they represent to the art may be appreciated. There are,of course, additional features of the disclosure that will be describedhereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appendedhereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed understanding of the present disclosure, reference shouldbe made to the following detailed description of the embodiments, takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elementshave been given like numerals, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a 3-D diagram of an insect trap apparatus according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a 3-D diagram of the insect trap apparatus of FIG. 1A with acap removed;

FIG. 2A is a cross-section schematic of the insect trap apparatus ofFIG. 1A with a heat strip;

FIG. 2B is a cross-section of the insect trap apparatus rotated by 90degrees;

FIG. 3A is a cross-section schematic of another embodiment of the insecttrap apparatus;

FIG. 3B is a cross-section schematic of the insect trap apparatus ofFIG. 3A rotated by 90 degrees;

FIG. 4 is a wireframe schematic of an array of insect traps deployed ina set of nesting boxes according to one embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5A is a cross-section schematic of another embodiment of the insecttrap apparatus with only one capped end;

FIG. 5B is a cross-section schematic of the insect trap apparatus ofFIG. 5A rotated by 90 degrees;

FIG. 6A is a cross-section schematic of another embodiment of the insecttrap apparatus with power source access on one side and controlleraccess on the other side;

FIG. 6B is a cross-section schematic of the insect trap apparatus ofFIG. 6A rotated by 90 degrees; and

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method of exterminating insect pestsaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Generally, the present disclosure relates to apparatuses and methods forpest control in a farm or agricultural setting, and, in particular,arthropod trapping and extermination in animal pens. The presentdisclosure is susceptible to embodiments of different forms. They areshown in the drawings, and herein will be described in detail, specificembodiments of the present disclosure with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of theprinciples of the present disclosure and is not intended to limit thepresent disclosure to that illustrated and described herein.

FIGS. 1A-1B show 3-D diagrams of an arthropod trap 100 according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1A shows that the arthropodtrap 100 may include a housing 110, one or more end caps 120 with anopening 130 for arthropods, such as red mites, a heat strip 160, aprinted circuit board 180, and an optional opening 140 for a power cord150. The housing 110 defines an open space 230. The power cord 150 maybe routed through opening 130 as an alternative to opening 140. Theopening 140 may be smaller than the opening in the housing 110 in orderto allow ingress of the mites while reducing the entry of debris andwater into the housing 110. The housing 110 is preferably opaque tovisible light such that the housing has an interior that is dark. Thehousing 110 may be made of a lightweight material such as PVC, or othermaterials but is not limited to such, as metal and plastic may be used.The tubular shape and PVC composition are illustrative and exemplaryonly, as the housing 110 may have any shape or material so long thehousing 110 provides a dark interior to attract the red mites. In someembodiments, the housing 110 may be thermally insulated. It iscontemplated that a heat source may be position outside the housing orbetween housing layers, wherein heat is radiated into the open space230. While the housing 110 is shown as a tubular, is may be shaped asnecessary, including but not limited, into a circlet for a flea collarused with canines and felines.

FIG. 1B shows the insect trap 100 with the cap 120 removed. It iscontemplated that the cap 120 is optional, wherein an end of the trap100 may be left open, or the trap 100 is formed of a molded structurecomprising one or more openings suitable for insertion of a heat strip,the routing of a power supply (as desired), and ingress of pests intothe trap 100. In some preferred embodiments, the cap 120 may be fixed tothe trap 100. The heat strip 160 may be an electrically-powered heatsource configured to be received by the housing 110. The heat strip 160may be a heating pad material, heating film adhered to a backingmaterial, heat mat, heat bulb, or any other device that can create heatto obtain the target temperatures required for the trap 100. The heatstrip 160 may include outer segments or zones 170 and an inner segmentor zone 220 (see FIGS. 2A-2B) that are in electrical communication withthe printed circuit board 180. It is contemplated that the heat strip160 may comprise other shapes and configurations suitable for use in thehousing 110. For example, the heat strip 160 may be cylindrical and/orcomprise a single segment having one or more heating zones. The printedcircuit board 180 may include a controller 190 for regulating the amountof electrical power that is transmitted to the heat strip 160. Thecontroller 190 may control programming of the segments 170, 220, relaytemperature data, power consumption and fault information to a computerand user interface. The controller 190 may also include securityfeatures to prevent overheating, electrical faults, and malfunctions. Insome embodiments, the controller 190 may include a wireless transmitterand/or receiver for implanting instructions and transmitting datawithout a wired connection. While the controller 190 is shown with twointegrated circuit chips, this is exemplary and illustrative only, asthe controller 190 may be implemented with any number of chips. Thecontroller 190 regulates power and the time when power is applied to theheat strip 160. As shown, the printed circuit board 180 receives powerfrom a power cord 150. While the cap 120 includes a power cord opening140 for the power cord 150, this is optional because some embodimentsmay include an energy storage device, such as a battery to power thetrap 100. Thus, in some embodiments, the cap 120 may only have anopening 130 for the bugs to enter and not the opening 140. The trap 100may be wirelessly charged and/or powered. In some embodiments, theenergy storage device may be electrically coupled to the printed circuitboard 180. In some embodiments, the energy storage device may bedisposed within the housing 110, whereas, in other embodiments, theenergy storage device may be disposed outside of the housing 110.

FIGS. 2A-2B show schematic diagrams of the trap 100. FIG. 2A shows aview where the heat strip 160 is lying flat, while FIG. 2B shows a viewwhere the heat strip 160 is on its edge. The heat strip 160 may bedivided into three or more segments or zones 170, 220. Each of thesesegments 170, 220 may be independently controlled by the controller 190.Adjacent heat strip segments 170, 220 may be electrically connectedthrough couplers 210 that allow different amounts of power to bedistributed to the segments 170, 220. This means that the all thesegments 170, 220 may be heated to the same temperature in a first mode,and the inner segment 220 may be heated to a different temperature thanthe outer segments 170 in a second mode. The segments 170, 220 may beflat and thin in order to further define the open space 230 within thehousing 110 to allow ingress of the mites. In some embodiments, part orall the segments 170, 220 may be treated by attractants such aspheromones or bait. In some embodiments, a removable flat strip 240 maybe disposed in the housing 110 to catch the remains of exterminatedinsects. The flat strip 240 may be removed, cleaned, and either returnedor replaced.

FIGS. 3A-3B show schematic diagrams of another trap 300 according to thepresent disclosure. The trap 300 includes many of the elements of thetrap 100; however, the trap 300 includes a heat strip 360. The heatstrip 360 is in electrical communication with the printed circuit board180, which powers and regulates the heat strip 360. The heat strip 360includes outer heating elements 370 and inner heating elements 320. Theouter heating elements 360 each include a first portion 380 and secondportion 390 that are connected by a flexible electrical connection 310.The inner heating element 320 includes a first portion 330 and a secondportion 340 that is also connected by a flexible electrical connection310. The flexible electrical connections 310 allows the heat strip 360to be more easily maneuvered into and out of the housing 110, especiallyif the housing 110 has a non-uniform shape.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of a system 400 that includes an array410 of arthropod traps 100 deployed in nesting boxes 440 or near anaviary perch. As shown, the array 410 shows a set of traps 100 deployedin series; however, the insect traps 100 may be deployed in series,parallel or both as desired. While the array 410 is shown in horizontalform, some embodiments may include vertical, horizontal, or angledorientations of the individual traps 100. While only four traps 100 areshown in the array 410, a person of skill in the art would understandthat arrays 410 with between 1 and over 100 traps 100 may beimplemented. For large chicken houses and the like, the array 410 may beover 100 meters in length. One or more of the traps 100 may be disposedsuch that the opening 130 is in physical contact with the interiorvolumes 450 of the nesting boxes 440. Power may be supplied to the array410 via a power cable or cord 420 from an external power source 430,such as an electrical grid, generator, or stored energy device. Whilethe system 400 is shown deployed in a series of nesting boxes, a personof skill in the art would understand that the system can be placed inany housing with undesirable pests, including, but not limited to,stables, hotel rooms, and residential/commercial structures.

FIGS. 5A-5B show schematic diagrams of another trap 500 according to thepresent disclosure. The trap 500 includes many of the elements of thetrap 100; however, the trap 500 includes a power supply 550, such as abattery, in electrical communication with the printed circuit board 180,such that the trap 500 does not require connection through an electricalcord 150 to receive electrical power. The housing 510 is different fromthe housing 110 in that the housing 510 is configured to allow humanaccess on the first side 520 and not the second side 530, and, thus,only requires a single end cap 120. As shown, the power supply 550 ismounted on the same printed circuit board 180 as the controller 190 andthe insect trap 500 only has an end cap 120 on one side. In someembodiments, the second side 530 of the housing 510, may have anoptional opening to allow red mites access to the interior of thehousing 510. The optional opening may be configured to allow the passageof the red mites but be too small for human access to the heat strip 160or the removal of the heat strip 160 from the housing 510.

FIGS. 6A-6B show schematic diagrams of another arthropod trap 600according to the present disclosure. The trap 600 includes many of theelements of the trap 500; however, the trap 600 has the housing 110 witha first opening 620 and a second opening 630, one on each end and eachwith an end cap 120. Just as the apparatus 500, there is a power supply550, such as a battery, in electrical communication with the printedcircuit board 180, such that the insect trap 500 not require connectionthrough an electrical cord 150 to receive electrical power. However, asshown, the power supply 550 is mounted on the printed circuit board 180near the second opening 630 which is opposite the first opening 630where the controller 190 is mounted on another printed circuit board180. Thus, the power supply 550 may be accessed by removing the end cap120 on the second opening 630 and the controller 190 may be accessed byremoving the end cap 120 on the first opening 620.

FIG. 7 shows a method 700 of operating a trap 100, 300, 500, 600according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In step 710, thesegments 170, 220 are energized to warm the interior of trap 100 to afirst temperature of about 28 degrees Celsius, which is the broodingtemperature of egg laying chickens and the preferred temperature of thered mites. This first temperature attracts the red mites into theopening 130 and is maintained for a first selected time or range oftimes to attract these insect pests. In some embodiments, the firstselected time period may be 6 to 23 hours in order to allow the redmites to gather, breed, and lay eggs within the insect trap 100, 300,500, 600. Since the red mites prefer dark places, the open space 230becomes a preferred location for the red mites, which will crawl ontothe heat strip 160. As a person of skill in the art would understand,the first temperature may be adjusted to the brooding and egg layingtemperature of any target animal in order to lure the pest (not just redmites) into the insect trap 100, 300, 500, 600. The red mites areexemplary and illustrative, as the pests may include any nuisanceinsect, such as bed bugs and fleas. The trap temperature can be set toany specific needed temperature to attract another species that hasanother preferred temperature. The preferred temperature may bemaintained the entire day, or set on a curve if a target species preferssuch temperatures and such an arrangement corresponds better to itsnatural behavior. This excludes the time used to kill the pest with alethal dose of high temperature, which in the case of red mites is 45degrees Celsius or higher. In step 720, the temperatures in the outersegments 170 are increased from the first temperature to a secondtemperature that is uncomfortable to the insect pests in order tomotivate them to move toward the inner segment 220. Since the red mitesdesire to avoid the light, they will tend to move toward the innersegment 220 (which is still at the more comfortable first temperature)instead of the opening 130 when moving away from the warmer temperatureof the outer segments 170. The second temperature is maintained for asecond selected period and provides suitable time for the red mites tomigrate toward the inner segment 220. In step 730, the temperature ofthe segments 170, 220 is increased a third temperature of about 45degrees Celsius for a third selected period in order to kill the redmites. In some embodiments, the third selected period is about 10 to 15minutes. As would be understood by a person of skill in the art, thethird temperature (e.g. extermination temperature) and the period may bevaried based on the type of insect pest. In step 740, optionally, airmay be forced through the trap 100 to displace the remains of theexterminated red mites, often in the form of mite dust. After step 730,steps 710-730 may be repeated to attract and kill red mites during eachiteration.

While the disclosure has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments, it will be understood that various changes may be made, andequivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departingfrom the scope of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications willbe appreciated to adapt a particular instrument, situation or materialto the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essentialscope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not belimited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best modecontemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosurewill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for attracting and exterminatingarthropods, the apparatus comprising: a heat strip, comprising: at leastone inner segment or zone that is energizable to a first temperature; atleast two outer segments or zones, wherein at least one of the at leasttwo outer segments or zones is energizable to a second temperature,wherein the at least one inner segment or zone is disposed between theat least two outer segments or zones, and wherein the at least one innersegment or zone and/or the at least two outer segments or zones isenergizable to a third temperature; a controller in electricalcommunication with each of the segments or zones of the heat strip,wherein the controller is configured to regulate power to the heat stripso as to selectively energize each of the segments or zones of the heatstrip; a housing defining an interior volume to enclose the heat strip,wherein the housing includes a first opening; and wherein the firsttemperature is sufficient to attract at least one of the arthropods intothe housing, the second temperature is greater than the firsttemperature, and the third temperature is greater than the secondtemperature.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing furthercomprises a first removable cap configured to close the first opening,the first removable cap comprising at least one opening.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 2, wherein the housing and the first removable capare both opaque to visible light.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2, whereinthe at least one opening of the first removable cap comprises: a firstopening; and a second opening; wherein the first opening is larger thanthe second opening, and the second opening is dimensioned to allow apower cord to pass through.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein thehousing further comprises: a second opening, and a second removable capconfigured to close the second opening, the second removable cap beingopaque to visible light and comprising at least one opening.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller is disposed within thehousing.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the housing is tubular inshape.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a power supply inelectrical communication with the controller.
 9. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the arthropods are red mites.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first temperature is about the brooding and egg layingtemperature of a target animal.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe third temperature is sufficient to exterminate at least one of thearthropods within the housing with a lethal dose of high temperature.12. A system for attracting and exterminating arthropods, the systemcomprising: an animal housing comprising a plurality of nesting units;and a plurality of apparatuses for attracting and exterminatingarthropods, each of the plurality of apparatuses comprising: a heatstrip, comprising: at least one inner segment that is energizable to afirst temperature; at least two outer segments, wherein at least one ofthe at least two outer segments is energizable to a second temperature,wherein the at least one inner segment is disposed between the at leasttwo outer segments, and wherein the at least one inner segment and/orthe at least two outer segments is energizable to a third temperature; acontroller in electrical communication with the each of the segments ofthe heat strip, wherein the controller is configured to regulate powerto the heat strip so as to selectively energize each of the segments ofthe heat strip; and a housing defining an interior volume to enclose theheat strip, wherein the housing includes a first opening.
 13. The systemof claim 12, wherein the housing further comprises a first removable capconfigured to close the first opening, the first removable capcomprising at least one opening.
 14. The system of claim 13, wherein thehousing and the first removable cap are both opaque to visible light.15. The system of claim 14, wherein the housing further comprises: asecond opening, and a second removable cap configured to close thesecond opening, the second removable cap being opaque to visible lightand comprising at least one opening.
 16. The system of claim 13, wherethe at least one opening of the first removable cap comprises: a firstopening; and a second opening; wherein the first opening is larger thanthe second opening, and the second opening is dimensioned to allow apower cord to pass through.
 17. The system of claim 12, wherein thehousing is tubular in shape.
 18. The system of claim 12, furthercomprising a power supply in electrical communication with thecontroller.
 19. The system of claim 12, wherein the first temperature isabout the brooding and egg laying temperature of a target animal andwherein the third temperature is sufficient to exterminate at least oneof the arthropods within the housing with a lethal dose of hightemperature.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality ofapparatuses is wired in series, parallel, or a combination thereof.